Summer 26: Week 5

 

Saturday August 1:  Happy Birthday To ME

I loved Arlington International Racecourse.  I visited there three times and twice went to the Arlington Million, the signature day at the beautiful facility.  But since Churchill Downs, Inc. sold it for it's real estate value the Million Day races have been held at a couple of different venues, but seems to have settled at Colonial Downs.

Arlington Million Days

Roja

Sabino Canyon

Mashallah

Verifire

Gimme A Nother

Amberbien

Renegade

Burnham Square

Jaxson's Ice Cream Celebration

Birthday Wishes

By the time the weekend was over I had nearly 100 birthday wishes from friends and family but I have to say what made me the happiest was that I heard from every single one of the people who mean the most to me.

Chloe - Allison - Mandy - Ekatirini - Jen - Jillian

Melissa - Michelle - Shasha - Shelly - Sophia - Teri

The ChatGPT of Kimmy & Tati celebrating my birthday at the condo

Summer 2026 - Week 4

 Coaching Club Of America Weekend

The poor quality of racing at Monmouth this summer and lack of horses - only SIX races on Friday - had me have only a single selection - ran 2nd - on Friday.  On Saturday I scored with seven picks including the featured Grade 3 Monmouth Oaks on the Jersey Shore and both graded features at Saratoga.

Was a good week for social media/online friends as I heard from my three favorite news girls and had a "long" text chat with out gal-pal Michelle who's going to visit us at the condo later next month.

Summer 2026 - Week 3

 Haskell Weekend
July 16-21 At The Condo

I wish that it had worked differently and my adorable wife Kimberly D had been able to come to Orlando for the extended weekend at our stay-cation condo, but she was up in the air about doctor appointments and visits.  Drove up her, at my wife's insistence I might add, on Thursday morning.  Our son Brad came and we had a long lunch together.  Friday I went to his hockey game - he was the star and they won in a shootout.  Brought the grandson back for the weekend.  Ended by spending a good part of Monday with our adorable realtor Sophia before heading home.  The racing highlights were from the signature day at Monmouth, Haskell Day.  For the day Saturday I won 47% of the picks and with the promotional money I got back I finished in the black.  Made Sunday a winning day when I added their stakes event, the Wicker Stakes to the two picks from the Jersey Shore.

Was fun to hear back from my gal-pal Karli Barnett who's now based at an Atlanta news station.  We still keep in touch and she follows our trips.

Summer 2026 - Week 2

 Indiana Derby Weekend

After winning one of three on Friday I scored with eight runners on Saturday, including five stakes.  In that group was my BEST of the Day and the national highlighted Grade 3 Indiana Derby.  Also made a new online social media news-gal friend....reconnected with a long time friend and celebrated my best gal-pal hosting a baby shower for her bestie.  All in all, a really good weekend.

JR Shadow Boy right to the front and never looks back, never threatened in the Hoosier Sophomore

Irish Jig up in time for the upset of the Miss Disco

Noquestionaboutit runs by late to repeat in the Glen Petty

Determined Kingdom EASILY as the BET of the Day

Lightly raced but ultra-talented Leading Change digs in to win the Gr 3 Indiana Derby

My pal Lauren Pastrana posted that newbie to CBS-Miami Anna McAllister would be taking over the weekend morning news anchor.  Used to be I really enjoyed these program when I became friends with Teri Hornstein before she married and moved to Washington D.C.  The hosts since have not interested me nor have they shown much ability if I'm honest.  But I've seen Anna's reporting and she has "it" so I was excited to see her promotion.  Even more so when I reached out to her and she messaged me back multiple times.  New travel follower?  Hoping so.

Long, LONG time gal-pal Michelle at one time worked side-by-side with my Kim and they even coached volleyball together for a few years.  Since she moved to North Carolina we've only seen her a couple times.  But when we bought the condo she and I connected about that and the fact she visits her Mom in central Florida on occasion.  This weekend she & Kim made plans for her to visit us at the new condo and she and I exchanged messages about how fun it will be.  The AI-generated image pictures her on our condo balcony ready for pool time with my pretty Mrs.

Finally....continuing a regular exchange with my girl Kimmy, she hosted a baby shower for her high school and adult best friend Christy.  Those two were nothing but trouble, in a good way in high school and I was sooooo glad Kimmy posted pics online.  Of course I commented right away....and OF course she answered right back :)